Doing a little weird public service next Saturday-- drop-in hours for the Stuffed Animal Hospital. Bring in your messed-up stuffies and I will try my best to bring them back alive. You'll get a little tune-up AND get a small sewing lesson. I'll give the caveat that some injuries may be beyond my expertise as a Certified Sewing Doctor* but I will be on hand to advise (or offer my condolences).

I had a friend come to me with one of my favorite kind of favors-- one I can easily grant. Seems their beloved frog Squishable was heartlessly recalled-- due to a water damage issue. Crestfallen at having to part with Clytemnestra** after having made a serious attachment, they asked me if there was something to be done. Folks, there's always something to be done. And if it doesn't work, you just skinned your favorite comfort object in the pursuit of love. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Every stuffed animal from the factory has a little spot (usually on the back) that was sewn by hand. You can easily snip these stitches and not worry about the entire frog/teddy/waffle coming fully apart at the seams. This 1-2" opening is left unsewn specifically so the whole plush can be turned right-side out after sewing, then stuffed.
That means, the only space on a factory-produced plush that can be easily unstitched and re-sewn is exactly where you need it to be, in the off-chance your best friend might be hosting mold.
So, if you've had a beloved stuffed friend for a while and it's become limp, or smelly even after a good wash, consider re-stuffing. We were able to get Clytemnestra back in shape after taking out her current filling, washing her a few times to make sure there wasn't a smell, and restuffing her with NEW filling.
That's also an opportunity to get creative and put your own spin on things. Teddy bears of old were stuffed with wool or sawdust. These days most of the stuffing is made from extruded polyester fibers that may look like cotton. But heck-- you do you. Stuff it with aquarium rocks, old clothes, packing peanuts or pinto beans. Because now that you know how to refill a stuffy, you can afford to make some mistakes.
*Not a doctor, but in the case of an apocalypse and I still have my purse on me, and you have a non-lethal but uncomfortable gash in your leg, I can sew you up! Maybe!
** Names changed to protect the victim, but not to protect Squishmallows. Make sure you don't have a recalled Francine Frog!
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